Teen charged with attempted robbery

A teenager was arrested on attempted armed robbery charges Wednesday night after police say he tried to rob a man, then returned to the scene of the crime.

Taft Police Sgt. Shad Swanson said officers received a report of an attempted armed robbery in the area of Sixth Street and Finley Drive just before 10 p.m.

The victim told officers he was approached by a male in a white minivan who brandished a handgun and demanded money.

The victim fled to the nearby 7-11 and called 911.

officers responded to the scene and some, along with Kern County Sheriff's deputies, searched the area for the suspect.

While the victim was being interviewed, Swanson said, a deputy saw a white minivan driving on Sixth street and began following it.As it drove past the victim, he told officers it was “very similar” to the suspect's vehicle.

The deputy made a traffic stop a short distance away, and the victim identified the driver as the man who tried to rob him, Swanson said.